The thing I love about this dress is the subtle box pleating in the front. It gives the dress a nice amount of shape and detail. However, it was also my downfall ...
The pattern says the pleats should be 3cm, so that's what I did, but that made the front too narrow and just a bit too tight for me. You can see the slight strain on the fabric in this area even on the dress form. The second photo shows that the back sits up to compensate for the tightness. Bummer. Rather than undo it (which I will at a later stage ... probably!), I made another one. This time, I did 2.5cm pleats and it fits perfectly ...
Aside from changing the width of the pleats slightly, I also added about 15cm to the length of it so that I could wear it properly as a dress. The original length is more like a tunic, where you would wear jeans or leggings underneath. I'm really happy with this dress. I now feel confident to make it in Liberty, which was always the goal!
I thought I might include this last pic as it shows how tricky it was to get a decent shot of these dresses on a dreary, drizzly and windy morning in Melbourne yesterday!
Check out what everyone else has been making over at our creative spaces.
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22 comments:
Perfect for the encroaching spring! I liked the last shot of the dress blowing in the wind.
Lovely! Love both the fabrics and the pattern. Yay for making beautiful clothes. And yay for new fabric designs! :)
gorgeous. i love both of your fabric choices. and liberty. yum
How great is it to have time to make a practice piece and then finetune it so you know it's going to work from then on?!! I often make something then get distracted so the second test doesn't get done and then I forget what adjustments were needed with the first one... hmmmm. I like the way you do it best!
You & Liberty... OBSESSED! ;) I want an action shot!
I had an unfortunate first dress attempt & started over too - it seems like the easier & faster option.
I really like the dresses I've seen from that book, 'though I'm not sure they'd look actually *on* me. You're so good at this stuff!
I can't wait for the book to arrive so I can check it out!
Very pretty..those fabrics are ideal for spring and lovely and light!
It's lovely, looks like it would be really comfortable to wear too, those kinds of clothes are the best types! :)
nic this is gorgeous. i'm off to click on the book now...
Looks lovely! (though what a pain that the pattern was not quite right the first time)
PS I finally made "something" with the fabric pack I bought from you more than a year ago (not much, but it's a start anyway!)
there both just gorgeous Nick, especially loving the fabric of the 1st one. They look awuflly comfy too, and I like the subtle pleating too xo
lovely job!I can't imagine the delight it will be with the liberty fabric!!!
I have been wanting to buy this book but have been a bit unsure due to hearing about sizing issues with the patterns. Glad you got it to work in the end. Would have loved to see a picture of you wearing it :)
I've had that book bookmarked too! Your drsss looks lovely, and the second fabric is so pretty.
You are inspiring me.
It is a sweet dress in that floral fabric. I've made it in linen in the past and it has a whole different look then. A liberty print version will be gorgeous.
It looks really lovely. I just bought this book and thought it would be useful as I am a leggings type of girl :)
gorgeous dress' Nic, you're so clever I wouldn't know where to begin! look forward to seeing the new fabric designs! x
They are both amazing, how lovely to be sewing up a storm at your parent's place. I love that both my husband & i can still take our children to our childhood homes, love that our parents have never moved!!
Have you thought about cutting a cheeky key hole into the dress with the 3cm pleats?? You could make it quite Summery with a tank underneath so it's not flashy in the boob department. Such beautiful work, you don't want it going to waste. It would work so well for a kaftany top with jeans. That or sit in a Sauna for hours to shrink before wearing.
I love the dress' too Nic!!! They would look AMAZING in your gorgeous fabric...
Jodie :)
great job! your dresses turned out great! :)
Lovely dresses. Mmmm - liberty - delicious. That will be wonderful to wear this summer.
Looking forward to seeing your new fabrics too!
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